Cadillac has always been synonymous with luxury — but don’t let the leather seats and ambient lighting fool you. Several models in the current lineup can pull serious weight, and at Frank Boucher Cadillac in Racine, WI, towing questions come up constantly. Whether you need to haul a boat up to Lake Michigan, move a camper for the weekend, or tow a utility trailer across town, Cadillac has an SUV for it. Here’s a model-by-model look at what each one can do, so you can find the best SUV for towing that actually fits your life.
The XT5 is Cadillac’s most popular midsize SUV, and it earns its place as a best midsize SUV with towing capacity when equipped the right way. Power comes from either a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder (235 hp / 258 lb-ft) or an available 3.6L V6 (310 hp / 271 lb-ft), paired with a 9-speed automatic. To reach the 3,500-lb max, the optional Smart Towing package is key — it includes Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, a 170-amp alternator, heavy-duty cooling, a hitch cover, and a 7-wire harness. The Sport trim adds Sport Control AWD with real-time chassis damping, which gives extra confidence when towing in unpredictable conditions. For jet skis, small fishing boats, teardrop campers, or light utility trailers, the XT5 handles the job without breaking a sweat.
When it comes to the best towing luxury SUV on the market, the Escalade and Escalade ESV are hard to argue against. Both ride on a body-on-frame platform — the same architecture used in full-size trucks — which is what allows them to tow at a level most SUVs can’t touch. The standard engine is a 6.2L V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic. Drivetrain options include 2WD or 4WD with a single-speed transfer case, and the 2WD configuration yields the higher tow rating. The standard Escalade maxes out at 8,100 lbs in 2WD, while the extended-wheelbase Escalade ESV comes in at 8,000 lbs. Both are genuinely truck-capable — think large travel trailers, bigger boats, and enclosed car haulers. All that, and you still get the full luxury interior.
The Escalade IQ and its long-wheelbase sibling, the IQL, are Cadillac’s answer to the question of whether electric vehicles can actually tow. Turns out, they can — up to 8,000 lbs, which is right on par with the gas-powered Escalade. The available Smart Towing package is what unlocks the full experience here, adding Blind Zone Steering Assist with Trailering, a Trailer View Camera, the Trailering App (with pre-departure checklists and live monitoring), a Smart Trailer Integration Indicator, and an integrated trailer brake controller. It’s a genuinely sophisticated towing setup. If you’ve been hesitant about switching to electric because of towing needs, the Escalade IQ makes a strong case that you don’t have to choose between the two anymore — and that puts it in serious contention among the best-rated SUVs for towing options available today.
The OPTIQ is Cadillac’s entry point into the all-electric lineup — compact, efficient, and easier to manage day-to-day than the larger models. It’s not a heavy tower, but it’s not trying to be. With an available frame-mounted trailer hitch, the OPTIQ handles up to 1,500 lbs, which covers single jet skis, utility trailers, lightweight cargo trailers, and small equipment. The dual-motor AWD powertrain delivers around 300 miles of estimated EV range, so you’re not giving up much to get the towing capability. For buyers who need an everyday electric SUV and occasionally need to pull something modest, the OPTIQ punches where it needs to without overcomplicating the picture.
The VISTIQ is one of the more impressive entries in the Cadillac EV lineup — three rows of seating, a striking exterior design, and a towing capacity that genuinely surprises people: 5,000 lbs when properly equipped. That’s enough for a mid-size camper, a larger boat, a horse trailer, or a small enclosed car trailer. All-electric, all-wheel drive, and genuinely practical for families who also have gear to haul. If the question is which Cadillac EV best balances passenger room and towing, the VISTIQ is a clear frontrunner. It sits right in the middle of the Cadillac EV range in terms of capability — above the LYRIQ and OPTIQ, below the Escalade IQ — and that positioning makes it a strong all-around choice among the best SUVs for towing in the electric category.
The LYRIQ is where Cadillac’s EV design ambitions really show — sweeping lines, a 33-inch diagonal infotainment screen, and a powertrain lineup that tops out at 615 horsepower with the available Dual Motor AWD setup. Towing capacity tops out at 3,500 lbs when the vehicle is properly equipped, putting it on par with the gas-powered XT5. That’s a comfortable number for recreational towing — think small- to midsize boats, personal watercraft, lightweight travel trailers, or cargo trailers for weekend projects. It’s not a truck replacement, but it doesn’t pretend to be. For EV buyers who want style, performance, and the ability to tow a reasonable load without having to think too hard about it, the LYRIQ covers the bases.
From the 1,500-lb OPTIQ to the 8,100-lb Escalade, Cadillac’s current SUV lineup covers an unusually wide range of towing capability — and nearly all of it comes wrapped in the brand’s signature luxury. The gas Escalade sits at the top for raw pulling power, the Escalade IQ brings that same muscle to an all-electric platform, and everything else finds its lane based on what you’re hauling and how often. If you’re still sorting out which model makes sense for your situation, Frank Boucher Cadillac in Racine is the right place to talk it through. Our team there knows the lineup and packages and can help ensure the SUV you drive home is actually built to do what you need it to.
Stop by Frank Boucher Cadillac in Racine, WI, to check out the current inventory, ask about available towing packages, or take one of these SUVs for a test drive. Whether you’re leaning toward the gas-powered Escalade or one of the newer EV models, there’s someone on the floor who can walk you through exactly what each one is built to handle.
The Cadillac Escalade tows up to 8,100 lbs in 2WD configuration when properly equipped. The extended Escalade ESV is rated at up to 8,000 lbs in the same setup.
Yes — the Escalade IQ and IQL both tow up to 8,000 lbs with the available Smart Towing package, putting them right alongside the gas-powered Escalade ESV in terms of capability.
The Escalade IQ and IQL lead all-electric Cadillac models at 8,000 lbs. Among the non-Escalade EVs, the VISTIQ tops the list at 5,000 lbs, followed by the LYRIQ at 3,500 lbs and the OPTIQ at 1,500 lbs.
The XT5 can handle up to 3,500 lbs with its available Smart Towing package — enough for most personal watercraft, small- to midsize fishing boats, and lightweight travel trailers.
Most do, yes. The maximum tow ratings on Cadillac SUVs typically require an available Smart Towing package, which adds a trailer hitch, wiring harness, heavy-duty cooling, and, in some models, trailer monitoring tech and camera systems.
With a 5,000 lb towing capacity, the VISTIQ can handle many small-to midsize campers and travel trailers. It’s one of the few three-row electric SUVs that can pull that kind of weight, making it a standout option for families who camp.
